Method for displaying contents and electronic device thereof

ABSTRACT

An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes an output module, a sensing module, and a processor. The output module is configured to output contents. The sensing module is configured to obtain at least one of user information and environment information. The processor is configured to control an operation of the electronic device in response to at least one of the user information and the environment information depending on an attribute of the contents.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of a Koreanpatent application filed on Jul. 15, 2013 in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office and assigned Serial number 10-2013-0082792, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a method for displaying content and anelectronic device thereof.

BACKGROUND

Recently, as an electronic device develops rapidly, an electronic devicethat enables information or data exchange is variously used. Generally,the electronic device has a display means and an input means, and mayprovide a function for reproducing contents.

The contents include digital contents reproducible at the electronicdevice, and may include a movie, music, games, an electronic book, etc.,and a kind of supplied contents becomes diversified. A reading grade maybe set to the contents, and only a user suitable for a reading grade oronly a user who has successfully performed an authentication operationshould read contents.

Recently, various kinds of contents may be easily available, and a usermay perform an authentication operation regarding contents via a simpleauthentication procedure such as a password input.

The electronic device may be controlled by another user, and a passwordmay be exposed, so that another user may reproduce contents not suitablefor a relevant grade. In addition, after an authentication operation hasbeen performed before reproduction of contents, the electronic devicecannot limit viewing even when another user views contents.

The above information is presented as background information only toassist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determinationhas been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the abovemight be applicable as prior art with regard to the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure are to address at least theabove-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at leastthe advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the presentdisclosure is to provide an apparatus and a method for reproducinglimited contents in an electronic device.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus anda method for determining user information and environment informationthat reproduce contents in an electronic device.

Still another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide anapparatus and a method for controlling contents reproduction withconsideration of user information and environment information thatreproduce contents in an electronic device.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatusand a method for performing operations such as a turn-off mode, an imagereplacement mode, a sleep mode, a text message output mode, a messagetransmission mode to another device, a contents inquiry prohibitionmode, an output limit mode or a haptic feedback mode, etc. on anelectronic device in case of stopping reproduction of contents withconsideration of user information and environment information thatreproduce contents in the electronic device.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, an electronicdevice is provided. The electronic device includes an output moduleconfigured to output contents, a sensing module configured to obtain atleast one of user information and environment information, and aprocessor configured to control an operation of the electronic device inresponse to at least one of the user information and the environmentinformation depending on an attribute of the contents.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a methodfor providing contents in an electronic device is provided. The methodincludes obtaining, by the electronic device, at least one of userinformation and environment information, and determining an operation ofthe electronic device in response to at least one of the userinformation and the environment information depending on an attribute ofthe contents.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present disclosure, amethod for providing contents in an electronic device is provided. Themethod includes determining, by the electronic device, an attribute ofthe contents, obtaining at least one of user information and environmentinformation when a reproduction of the contents is limited based on theattribute of the contents, and controlling a reproduction of thecontents in response to the user information or the environmentinformation.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present disclosure, anon-transitory computer-readable recording medium is provided. Thenon-transitory computer-readable recording medium having a programrecorded thereon, the program causing a computer to execute a methodincluding obtaining at least one of user information and environmentinformation, and determining an operation mode of the electronic devicein response to at least one of the user information and the environmentinformation depending on an attribute of the contents.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the disclosure willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings,discloses various embodiments of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certainembodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device according toan embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a contents reproduction operation ofan electronic device according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a contents reproduction operation ofan electronic device according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of determiningaccessibility for contents of an electronic device according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of determiningaccessibility for contents of an electronic device according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of determiningaccessibility for contents of an electronic device according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of determiningaccessibility for contents of an electronic device according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate an operation of registering a user, fordetermining accessibility for contents in an electronic device accordingto various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D illustrate an operation of reproducing contentsin an electronic device according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D illustrate an operation of reproducingcontents in an electronic device according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C illustrate an operation of reproducing contentsin an electronic device according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 12A, 12B and 12C illustrate an operation of reproducing contentsin an electronic device according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of reproducing contentsin an electronic device according to the present disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood torefer to like parts, components, and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings isprovided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of variousembodiments of the present disclosure as defined by the claims and theirequivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in thatunderstanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatvarious changes and modifications of the various embodiments describedherein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of thepresent disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functionsand constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are notlimited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by theinventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in theart that the following description of various embodiments of the presentdisclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for thepurpose of limiting the present disclosure as defined by the appendedclaims and their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes referenceto one or more of such surfaces.

A touchscreen variously used recently is an input or display deviceperforming input and display of information on one screen. In a case ofusing the touchscreen, the electronic device may increase a display areaby removing a separate input unit such as a keypad. For example, in acase of using a full-touch type where a touchscreen is applied to anentire screen, the electronic device may extend a screen size byutilizing an entire surface of the electronic device as a screen.

The electronic device may reproduce digital contents such as a movie,music, games, an electronic book, a photo, a web page, etc.

A reading grade may be set to the contents, and the electronic devicemay reproduce contents corresponding to a user's grade.

However, recently, various kinds of contents may be easily available,and a user may perform an authentication operation regarding contentsvia a simple authentication procedure such as a password input, butanother user may reproduce contents unsuitable for a relevant grade dueto exposure of a password.

To provide correct contents to a user, an apparatus and a method forimproving a contents reproduction function in the electronic device arerequired.

In the description below, an apparatus and a method for controllingreproduction of contents based on user information or environmentinformation reproducing contents in an electronic device according to anembodiment of the present disclosure are provided.

The electronic device may provide feedback with respect to limitedcontents based on user information or environment information. Theproviding of the feedback is to control reproduction of contents, andmay be used as meaning equivalent to content providing correspondinginformation for contents. The electronic device may control an outputfor a screen and a volume as a feedback corresponding to userinformation or environment information with respect to limited contents.For example, in a case where the user information or the environmentinformation is not suitable for a predetermined reference, theelectronic device may perform operations such as a turn-off mode for theelectronic device, an image replacement mode, a sleep mode, a textmessage output mode, a message transmission mode to another device, acontents inquiry prohibition mode, an output limit mode, or a hapticfeedback mode, etc.

In the following description, contents including content whosereproduction may be limited may be defined as limited contents. Thecontent whose reproduction may be limited may include a sexual orviolent content, or content unallowable under a specific condition (anation, a culture, a religion, etc.). In addition, for example, contentsincluding content unallowable in a specific nation may be limitedcontents in a case where the contents are reproduced in the relevantnation, and may not be limited contents in a case where the contents arereproduced in other nations.

The electronic device may analyze, for example, an image of contents orsound additional information, etc. to understand the attribute ofcontents. The electronic device may determine whether contents which auser intends to reproduce is limited contents based on the attribute ofthe contents.

The user information is information representing whether a user is anallowed user with respect to limited contents. The electronic device mayanalyze an image or voice information, etc. of a user to determinewhether the user is a user registered in advance or a user of an agegroup which may reproduce limited contents.

The environment information is information representing an area wherereproduction of limited contents is allowed. The electronic device maydetermine a current position to determine whether the current positionbelongs to an area registered in advance or an area where limitedcontents may be reproduced. The environment information is informationrepresenting a circumstance where limited contents may be reproduced.The electronic device may recognize, for example, movement information,brightness information, or ambient sound information, etc. to determinewhether an environment is a circumstance where limited contents may bereproduced. The electronic device may recognize environment informationusing an image sensor, a microphone, or a plurality of sensors which maydetermine a movement or a circumstance.

The electronic device may be a portable electronic device, and may be adevice such as a portable terminal, a mobile terminal, a media player, atablet computer, a handheld computer, or a Personal Digital Assistant(PDA). Also, the electronic device may be an arbitrary portableelectronic device including a device combining two or more functionsamong these devices. According to another embodiment, the electronicdevice may include any kind of an electronic device including a displayand an input unit. For example, the electronic device may include adesktop computer, a refrigerator, a multi-function peripheral, a videogame console, a digital camera, a Mobile Internet Device (MID), an UltraMobile PC (UMPC), a navigation, a smart TV, a digital clock, an MP3reproducer, etc.

Also, though the present disclosure has described an electronic deviceincluding a touchscreen, it would be easily understood by a person ofordinary skill in the art that embodiments described in the presentspecification may be properly applicable to an electronic device or acomputing device having a display and a different input means eventhough it does not include the touchscreen.

FIGS. 1 through 13, discussed below, and the various embodiments used todescribe the principles of the present disclosure in this patentdocument are by way of illustration only and should not be construed inany way that would limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled inthe art will understand that the principles of the present disclosuremay be implemented in any suitably arranged communications system. Theterms used to describe various embodiments are exemplary. It should beunderstood that these are provided to merely aid the understanding ofthe description, and that their use and definitions in no way limit thescope of the present disclosure. Terms first, second, and the like areused to differentiate between objects having the same terminology andare in no way intended to represent a chronological order, unless whereexplicitly stated otherwise. A set is defined as a non-empty setincluding at least one element.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device according toan embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic device 100 is illustrated, theelectronic device 100 may include a memory 110, a processor unit 120, anaudio processor 130, a communication system 140, an Input/Output (I/O)control module 150, a touchscreen 160, an input unit 170, or acircumstance information collector 180. At least one of these elementsmay be provided in the plural.

The memory 110 may include a program storage 111 or a data storage 112.The program storage 111 may include an Operating System (OS) program113, a contents analyze program 114, a circumstance determine program115, or at least one application 116. The processor unit 120 may includea processor 122 or an interface 124. The touchscreen 160 may include atouch input unit 161 or a display unit 162.

The program storage 111 of the memory 110 may store a program forcontrolling an operation of the electronic device 100, and the datastorage 112 may store data occurring during execution of a program. Forexample, the data storage 112 may store various updatable data forstorage such as a phonebook, calling messages, or received messages, andmay store reference information for determining limited contents, userset information, environment information, etc. For example, the datastorage 112 may store an image that will replace limited contents, amessage, information of a peripheral informing reproduction of limitedcontents, a method for controlling a screen/volume for limited contents,etc. The feedback information is operation information of the electronicdevice to respond to a user who reproduces limited contents, and mayhave meaning equivalent to the above-mentioned correspondinginformation.

The OS program 113 may include various software elements for controllingthe general system operation. The control of this general systemoperation may mean, for example, memory management or control, storagehardware (device) control or management, power control or management,etc. The OS program 113 may perform a function for swift communicationbetween various hardware (devices) and program elements (modules).

The contents analyze program 114 may include various software elementsfor analyzing the attribute (e.g., a kind, a characteristic, etc.) ofcontents. The contents analyze program 114 may determine limitedcontents based on the attribute of the contents.

The attribute of the contents may include one or more information wherereproduction of contents may be limited, such as a reading grade,whether a religious or cultural, or legal taboo expression exists, andits level, a violence level, a sexuality level, etc. In addition,contents including information where reproduction may be limited islimited contents, and may mean contents including, for example, feedbackinformation.

The contents analyze program 114 may analyze image information, soundinformation, text information, additional information regardingcontents, etc. to understand the attribute of the contents.

The contents analyze program 114 may analyze image information tounderstand the attribute of contents as in the following embodiment.

The contents analyze program 114 may determine color, texture, apattern, a shape, a silhouette, movement, color change, a body behavioror symbol, etc. to understand the attribute of contents.

For example, in a case where a skin color of an image corresponds to afirst range, for example, where the skin color exceeds a referencevalue, the contents analyze program 114 may determine a case where theshape and the pattern of the operation of one or more characterscorrespond to a predetermined shape or pattern. In a case where the skincolor is equal to or greater than a predetermined matching degree, thecontents analyze program 114 may determine reproduction of the contentsmay be limited due to sexuality. For another example, in a case where ablood color, for example, exceeds a reference value, or a weapon shapeappears, the contents analyze program 114 may determine reproduction maybe limited due to violence. For still another example, in a case where ashape meaning an insult behavior, a symbol or flag symbolizing aspecific political faction, a racial discriminative symbol, a religious,cultural, or legal taboo content, etc. exists in an image, the contentsanalyze program 114 may determine reproduction may be limited.

The contents analyze program 114 may analyze sound information tounderstand the attribute of contents as in the following embodiment.

The contents analyze program 114 may analyze an audio track included inthe contents to determine the attribute of contents using one or morereferences such as a sound pattern, an acoustic pressure of a sound,content by voice recognition or a repetition degree of the same soundpattern, etc. For example, in a case where a sound such as abuse,gunshot, groan or scream, etc. is detected, the contents analyze program114 may determine reproduction may be limited due to sexuality andviolence according to a predetermined reference such as a pattern, asound pressure, content, or a repetition degree, etc. of the relevantsound.

The contents analyze program 114 may analyze text information tounderstand the attribute of contents as in the following embodiment.

The contents analyze program 114 may analyze a subtitle file or acaption track included in the contents to determine slang, abuse, sexualor violent terminologies and determine reproduction may be limited.

The contents analyze program 114 may analyze additional information tounderstand the attribute of contents as in the following embodiment.

The contents analyze program 114 may understand the attribute ofcontents using additional information such as meta information, athumbnail, preview data, pre listen data, view thoughts (appraisal) forcontents, a contents age grade mark or symbol, etc.

The contents analyze program 114 may understand the attribute ofcontents, for example, while reproducing the contents or beforereproducing the contents.

The circumstance determine program 115 may include various softwareelements that may determine information of a user who intends toreproduce contents or environment information, etc.

The user information may mean information representing whether a user isan allowed user with respect to limited contents, and the environmentinformation may mean information of an area where reproduction oflimited contents is possible, or a circumstance detected via a sensorunit of the electronic device, etc.

The circumstance determine program 115 may analyze an image or voiceinformation of a user to determine whether the user is a user registeredin advance or a user of an age that may reproduce limited contents.

The circumstance determine program 115 may determine whether a currentposition belongs to an area registered in advance or an area wherecontents may be reproduced. The circumstance determine program 115 mayrecognize a time, schedule information registered in a scheduler,movement information, brightness information, or ambient soundinformation, etc. to determine whether an environment is a circumstancewhere limited contents may be reproduced. The circumstance determineprogram 115 may recognize environment information using an image sensor,a microphone, a plurality of sensors that may determine a movement or acircumstance, etc.

The circumstance determine program 115 may provide feedback for limitedcontents. For example, the circumstance determine program 115 mayprovide feedback for contents based on user information or environmentinformation.

For example, when the attribute of contents corresponding to limitedcontents is understood, the circumstance determine program 115 mayperform operations such as a turn-off mode for the electronic device, animage replacement mode, a sleep mode, a text message output mode, amessage transmission mode to another device, a contents inquiry prohibitmode, an output limit mode, or a haptic feedback mode, etc. in responseto the user information or the environment information.

The circumstance determine program 115 may process to delete historyinformation (e.g., an address of a limited site, a storage path oflimited contents, etc.) for limited contents while providing feedbackfor contents.

Though not shown, the program storage 111 may store a display program.The display program may include various software elements for providingand displaying graphics on the touchscreen 160. A terminology ofgraphics may be used as meaning that includes text, a web page, an icon,a digital image, a video, an animation, or a widget, etc.

The display program may include various software elements related to auser interface.

The display program may determine whether a user who is not allowed forthe attribute of contents reproduces the contents, and control acontents reproduce screen to display the same.

For example, the display program may display contents to which feedbackinformation has been applied such as a replacement image or areplacement message, etc.

The application 116 may include a software element for at least oneapplication installed to the electronic device 100, and may also includea program for controlling contents reproduction based on the userinformation or the environment information. This means that the contentsdisplay function may be provided as one application as described above.

A program included in the program storage 111 is a set of instructions,and may be expressed as an instruction set. At least one of programsincluded in the program storage 111 may be expressed as a hardwareconfiguration. For example, the electronic device may include anoperating system module, a contents analyze module, a circumstancedetermine module, or a display module, etc.

The processor module 120 may include at least one processor 122 or aninterface 124. The processor 122 or the interface 124 may be integratedin at least one integrated circuit or implemented as a separate element.

The interface 124 may serve as a memory interface for controlling anaccess of the processor 122 and the memory 110.

The interface 124 may serve as a peripheral interface for controllingconnection between I/O peripherals of the electronic device 100 and theprocessor 122.

The processor 122 may determine user information and environmentinformation using at least one software program, and control to providefeedback for limited contents in response to the user information or theenvironment information.

At this point, the processor 122 may include a processor for executingat least one program stored in the memory 110 and controlling to performa function corresponding to a relevant program.

For example, a contents display function of the electronic device 100may be performed using a software such as a program stored in the memory110 or a hardware such as the processor 122.

The audio processor 130 may provide an audio interface between a userand the electronic device 100 via a speaker 131 or a microphone 132. Thespeaker 131 may output an audio signal to which feedback for limitedcontents has been applied via the speaker 131 according to an embodimentof the present disclosure, and receive information for determining userinformation and environment information via the microphone 132.

The communication system 140 may perform a communication function forvoice communication or data communication of the electronic device 100.At this point, the communication system 140 may be divided to aplurality of communication sub-modules supporting differentcommunication networks. For example, though not limited thereto, thecommunication network may include a Global System for MobileCommunication (GSM) network, an Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE)network, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, a Wide (W)-CDMAnetwork, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, an Orthogonal FrequencyDivision Multiple Access (OFDMA) network, a wireless Local Area Network(LAN), a Bluetooth network, or Near Field Communication (NFC), etc.

The I/O control module 150 may provide an interface between an I/O unitsuch as the touchscreen 160 or the input unit 170, and the interface124.

The touchscreen 160 is an I/O unit for performing display of informationor input of information, and may include the touch input unit 161 andthe display unit 162.

The touch input unit 161 may provide touch information detected via atouch panel to the processor unit 120 via the I/O control module 150. Atthis point, the touch input unit 161 changes touch information to aninstruction structure such as touch_down, touch_move, or touch_up toprovide the same to the processor unit 120, and may provide input datathat inputs information regarding a user who reproduces contents andfeedback information to the user to the processor unit 120.

The display unit 162 may display state information of the electronicdevice 100, a character input by the user, a moving picture, or a stillpicture, etc. For example, the display unit 162 may display a contentsreproduction operation based on information regarding the user whoreproduces contents or environment information. For example, the displayunit 162 may display contents to which feedback information has beenapplied.

The input unit 170 may provide input data generated by the user'sselection to the processor unit 120 via the I/O control module 150. Forexample, the input unit 170 may include only a control button forcontrolling the electronic device 100. For another example, the inputunit 170 may provide input data that inputs information regarding theuser who reproduces contents and feedback information to the user to theprocessor unit 120. The electronic device according to the presentdisclosure may use a key button, a track ball, a thumb stick, a styluspen, a mouse, an electronic pen, a fingerprint recognizer, a joystick,or an eye-tracker as the input unit.

The circumstance information collector 180 may collect information fordetermining information regarding a user who desires to reproducecontents or environment information, etc. The environment informationmay include information representing an area where contents reproductionhas been allowed or has not been allowed, and information representing acircumstance where contents reproduction has been allowed or has notbeen allowed.

The circumstance information collector 180 may include at least one ofan image sensor, a microphone, or a plurality of sensors (e.g., a gripsensor, a geomagnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a digital compass,a horizon sensor, a light sensor, a proximity sensor) that may determinea state of the electronic device, a module that may obtain positioninformation, and a wired or wireless signal detect module.

Though not shown, the electronic device 100 may include elements forproviding additional functions such as a broadcast reception module forreceiving broadcasting, a digital sound source reproduction module suchas an MP3 module, a short distance wireless communication module forshort distance wireless communication, etc., and software for operationsof these elements.

The electronic device according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure may include the following construction.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 100 may include anoutput module (e.g., the display unit 162, etc.) for outputtingcontents, a sensing module (e.g., the touch input unit 161, the inputunit 170, etc.) for obtaining at least one of user information andenvironment information, and a processor configured to control anoperation of the electronic device in response to at least one of theuser information and the environment information depending on theattribute of the contents. The environment information may include atleast one of position information for determining limitation of theoperation of the contents and circumstance information. The circumstanceinformation may be configured to include at least one of a time, anambient noise, ambient brightness, and movement of the electronic device100.

The processor 122 may determine user setting information correspondingto the user information using at least one of real-time user informationor user information stored in advance (e.g., advance user information).The user setting information may be configured to include informationregarding an operation mode of the electronic device corresponding tothe user information.

The processor 122 may be configured to determine whether the userinformation is authenticated depending on the attribute of the contents.The processor 122 may be configured to authenticate the user informationusing the user setting information including operation mode informationof the electronic device 100 corresponding to the user information. In acase where the user setting information corresponding to the userinformation does not exist, the processor 122 may be configured to limitan output of the contents and register user setting informationcorresponding to the user information.

The processor 122 may be configured to control an operation of theelectronic device 100 based on the authentication result. In a casewhere the sensing module obtains a plurality of user information, theprocessor 122 may be configured to determine a plurality ofauthentication results corresponding to the plurality of userinformation. In a case where at least one of the plurality ofauthentication results is unsuitable for providing the contents, theprocessor 122 may be configured to limit an output of the contents.

In a case where the output of the contents is limited, the operationmode of the electronic device 100 may be at least one of a turn-off modefor at least one unit among the output module (e.g., the display unit162, etc.), an image replacement mode, a sleep mode of the electronicdevice 100, a text message output mode, a message transmission mode toanother device, a contents inquiry prohibit mode, a haptic feedbackmode, and a low specification mode of at least one unit among the outputmodule (e.g., the display unit 162, etc.).

The processor 122 may be configured to analyze the attribute of thecontents during an operation of the contents or before the operation.

The processor 122 may be configured to analyze the attribute of thecontents using at least one of an image analyze method, a sound analyzemethod, a text analyze method, a method for analyzing an intro signal ofan image, a specific symbol recognize method, and an additional contentsanalyze method.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a contents reproduction operation ofan electronic device according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2, contents may be digital contents that may bereproduced in an electronic device, and may include a movie, music,games, an electronic book, etc. The contents should be reproduced onlyfor an allowed user or only under an allowed environment. For example,contents of sexuality or violence should not be reproduced for a userwho is under age according to an age grade given by the sexuality orviolence level, and should not be reproduced in a public place. Foranother example, in a case where the contents are regulated bylegislation of a nation where a user is positioned, the contents are notreproducible or only legal content should be reproduced.

The electronic device according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure may control reproduction of contents based on userinformation or environment information to reproduce the contents foronly an allowed user or under only an allowed environment depending onthe attribute of the contents.

To perform the above operation, the electronic device may understand theattribute of contents in operation 201.

To determine whether contents include information whose reproduction maybe limited, the electronic device may determine, for example, whether areading grade has been set to contents to be reproduced, whether areligious, cultural, or legal taboo expression is included in contents,or whether violent or sexual content is included in contents, etc.

The electronic device may analyze image information, sound information,text information, additional information of contents, etc. to understandthe attribute of the contents. For example, the electronic device maydetermine color information, texture, a pattern, a shape, a silhouette,movement, color change, a body behavior or symbol, etc. included in animage to determine whether information whose reproduction may be limitedis included in contents.

For another example, the electronic device may analyze an audio track orsubtitle of contents to determine whether information (e.g., slang,abuse, a sexual or violent terminology) whose reproduction may belimited is included in the contents.

For still another example, the electronic device may analyze additionalinformation such as meta information, a thumbnail, preview data,pre-listen data, or contents view thoughts (appraisal) for contents todetermine whether information (e.g., an age grade, a mark representing aregulation object, content of summary abstract information, slang,abuse, a sexual or violent terminology) whose reproduction may belimited is included in the contents.

The electronic device may understand the attribute of contents duringreproduction of the contents or before reproduction of the contents. Theelectronic device may determine a scene including information whosereproduction may be limited during reproduction of the contents, ordetermine whether contents are contents including information whosereproduction may be limited before reproduction of the contents. Theinformation may be the contents themselves, contents information addedtogether to a site that may access the contents, other contentsinformation retrieved via a search engine in connection with thecontents, etc.

The electronic device may obtain user information or environmentinformation, etc. in operation 203. The user information may meaninformation representing whether a user is an allowed user with respectto limited contents, and the environment information may meaninformation such as an area or a circumstance, etc. that may reproducelimited contents. In addition, in a case of determining the attribute ofcontents including information whose reproduction may be limited, theelectronic device may obtain the user information and the environmentinformation.

The electronic device may obtain user information using voice or animage, etc. of a user who intends to reproduce contents.

For example, the electronic device may determine at least one of auser's voice, facial image, and fingerprint image to determine whetherthe user is a user registered in advance who is allowed to reproducecontents, or a user corresponding to an age group to which contentsreproduction has been allowed.

The electronic device may determine whether a position of a user belongsto an area registered in advance which is allowed to reproduce contents,or an area where contents may be reproduced, and may recognize scheduleinformation, etc. stored on a scheduler to determine whether anenvironment is a circumstance where limited contents may be reproduced.

The electronic device may control reproduction of contents in responseto user information or environment information depending on theattribute of the contents in operation 205.

For example, when the attribute of contents corresponding to limitedcontents is understood, the electronic device may perform operationssuch as a turn-off mode for the electronic device, an image replacementmode, a sleep mode, a text message output mode, a message transmissionmode to another device, a contents inquiry prohibition mode, an outputlimit mode or a haptic feedback mode, etc. in response to the userinformation or environment information.

The turn-off mode may represent a mode that turns off power of theelectronic device so that limited contents may not be reproduced, andthe sleep mode may represent a mode that stops the rest of functionsexcept a minimum module (a communication module) of the electronicdevice so that limited contents may not be reproduced. The imagereplacement mode may represent a mode that replaces a screen whosereproduction may be limited by another image and outputs the same. Thetext message output mode may represent a mode that replaces text whosereproduction may be limited by another text and outputs the same. Themessage transmission mode to another device may represent a mode thattransmits a message informing a circumstance where limited contents arereproduced to another device. The output limit mode may represent a modethat limits an output of an image or an audio including informationwhose reproduction may be limited. The contents inquiry prohibition modemay represent a mode that prevents limited contents from beingretrieved. The haptic feedback mode may represent a mode that provides,for example, haptic feedback to a user or a third party, and theelectronic device itself may provide the haptic feedback. Also, a signalfor generating haptic feedback may be transferred to an electronicdevice of a third party via a wired line or wirelessly. Assuming acircumstance of determining that the user is a minor and the electronicdevice, for example, reproduces limited contents having sexuality, theelectronic device may enter a turn-off mode or a sleep mode so that thecontents may not be reproduced, or may replace information whosereproduction may be limited by a different image or different text andoutput the same.

For another example, in a case of determining a user whose reproductionof limited contents having sexuality is limited, the electronic devicemay enter the turn-off mode or the sleep mode so that the contents maynot be reproduced, or may replace information whose reproduction may belimited by a different image or different text and output the same.

For still another example, in a case of determining a user who is notregistered as a user who is allowed to reproduce limited contents havingsexuality, the electronic device may process to limit an output of thecontents and register user information regarding the user.

The modes may be performed before reproduction and may be performedduring reproduction. For example, in a case where information of a userwho is not allowed or circumstance information where contentsreproduction is limited is detected while a user who is allowed toreproduce contents reproduces relevant contents and views the same, oneor more of relevant modes may be performed. For an embodiment, in a casewhere a new person's face or silhouette is detected via an image sensoror a voice of a person who is not allowed to reproduce contents iscollected via a microphone device during the contents reproduction, oneor more of the above modes may be performed. Also, in a case wherecontents are reproduced for a predetermined time or more set in advance,or reproduced in a predetermined time band, in a case where theelectronic device moves into a predetermined position region, and evenin a case where movement of user equipment is detected by apredetermined reference distance or angle or more via an accelerationsensor or a geomagnetic sensor, one or more of the above modes may beperformed.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a contents reproduction operation ofan electronic device according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 3, contents are digital contents that may bereproduced in an electronic device, and may include a movie, music,games, or an electronic book, etc.

The electronic device according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure may reproduce contents for only an allowed user or under onlyan allowed environment depending on the attribute of the contents.

In addition, in a case where contents reproduction is impossible, theelectronic device may perform an operation corresponding to feedbackinformation defined in advance. The feedback information may beinformation regarding an operation to which the electronic device mayrespond with respect to limited contents. For example, in a case wherecontents, whose reproduction is limited or a screen of contents whosereproduction is limited, are reproduced, the feedback information may beoperation information that stops an output of the screen or a sound,etc.

The feedback information may be operation information that allows todisplay an image, a screen, or a message defined in advance on thescreen of contents whose reproduction is limited.

In a case where contents, whose reproduction is limited, are reproduced,the feedback information may be operation information that allows toenter a turn-off mode or a sleep mode.

In a case where contents, whose reproduction is limited, are reproduced,the feedback information may be operation information that allows tonotify another electronic device defined in advance that limitedcontents are reproduced.

To perform the above operation, the electronic device may determinewhether limited contents are reproduced in operation 301. The electronicdevice may analyze image information, sound information, textinformation, or additional information, etc. of contents correspondingto an input to determine whether to reproduce limited contents.

The electronic device may determine accessibility of limited contents inoperation 303. The operation may be an operation that determines userinformation of a user who intends to reproduce contents, and contentsreproduction environment information. For example, the electronic devicemay determine whether a user who intends to reproduce contents is a userwho is allowed for reproduction of limited contents, whether an areawhere limited contents are to be reproduced is an allowed area, orwhether an environment is a circumstance where contents reproduction isallowed.

For example, the electronic device may determine whether a user's imageobtained via an image sensor or a user's voice obtained via a microphonecoincides with information stored in advance to determine whether a useris a user who is allowed for contents reproduction.

For another example, the electronic device may determine a user's ageusing a user's image obtained via an image sensor or a user's voiceobtained via a microphone to determine whether a user is a user who isallowed for contents reproduction.

For still another example, the electronic device may determine a currentposition using GPS information or base station information, etc., anddetermine whether the current position is a position suitable forreproduction of limited contents. The electronic device may determine aposition suitable for reproduction of limited contents to compare theposition with a current position. In addition, the electronic device maydetermine a current position to determine whether content whosereproduction is limited at the current position is included in limitedcontents.

The electronic device may determine feedback information regardinglimited contents based on user information or environment information inoperation 305. The feedback information means operation information ofthe electronic device to respond to a user who reproduces limitedcontents, and may be operations such as a turn-off mode for theelectronic device, an image replacement mode, a sleep mode, a textmessage output mode, a message transmission mode to another device, acontents inquiry prohibition mode, or an output limit mode, etc.

The electronic device may apply feedback information to limited contentsbased on user information or environment information in operation 307.

For example, in a case where the limited contents are reproduced by anun-allowed user or an un-allowed position or environment, etc., theelectronic device may perform operations such as a turn-off mode for theelectronic device, an image replacement mode, a sleep mode, a textmessage output mode, a message transmission mode to another device, acontents inquiry prohibition mode, an output limit mode, or a hapticfeedback mode, etc.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of determiningaccessibility for contents of an electronic device according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4, an electronic device may determine accessibility ofcontents for a user using information of a user defined in advance.

After operation 203, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the electronic device mayperform a user register operation (process) in operation 401.

The electronic device may be controlled by a plurality of users. Forexample, an electronic device such as a PC or a smartphone, etc. may becontrolled by other family members. In this case, the electronic devicemay store a user who is allowed to access contents, a user whose accessto contents is limited, or feedback information regarding contents, etc.using information such as voice or an image, etc.

The electronic device may store an image or voice of a user who isallowed to access contents or whose access to the contents is limited,and may additionally store a name, a birth date, an age, or the type ofaccessible contents, etc. with respect to each user.

For example, in a case where limited contents are reproduced, theelectronic device may store feedback information that limits screenoutput with respect to a user A. In addition, the electronic device mayadditionally store information that will limit reproduction of violentcontents with respect to the user A. At this point, when a userregistration operation is executed, the electronic device may operate amodule that may receive user information such as a microphone or animage sensor, etc. The electronic device may use user information storedin advance (e.g., advance user information).

To register a user, the electronic device may perform a face recognitionoperation for an image shot via an image sensor and an image stored inadvance, and receive a user to register among recognized faces. Todetermine whether to allow an access to limited contents, the electronicdevice may recognize not only a user's face but also a specific bodyportion (e.g., iris recognition, fingerprint recognition, hair stylerecognition, etc.).

In addition, the electronic device may determine the attribute ofreproduction contents in operation 403.

The electronic device may operate a user recognition module in operation405.

The electronic device may operate the user recognition module in orderto determine whether a user is a user who is allowed to access contentsor a user whose access to contents is limited. The user recognitionmodule may include a microphone that recognizes a user's voice, an imagesensor that may shoot a user's face, a fingerprint sensor or an irisrecognition sensor, etc.

The electronic device may recognize information such as an image, voice,an iris or a fingerprint, etc. of a user using the user recognitionmodule in operation 407.

The electronic device may compare recognized information of the userwith setting information (e.g., register user information) of a userregistered in advance to determine whether the user is accessible tocontents in operation 409, and then continue to operation 205, asillustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of determiningaccessibility for contents of an electronic device according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 5, an electronic device may determine an age group ofa user who reproduces contents to determine accessibility of contentswith respect to a user.

After operation 203, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the electronic device maydetermine the attribute of reproduction contents in operation 501.

The electronic device may operate the user recognition module inoperation 503.

The electronic device may recognize image information (e.g., a face, ahair style, a fingerprint, a clothes style, etc.) or voice informationof a user using, for example, the user recognition module in operation505.

The electronic device may determine an age group of a user using therecognized information of the user in operation 507.

The electronic device may determine accessibility of contents dependingon the determined age group in operation 509 and then continue tooperation 205, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of determiningaccessibility for contents of an electronic device according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 6, an electronic device may determine accessibility ofcontents with respect to a user using environment information. Theenvironment information may mean information such as an area or acircumstance where limited contents may be reproduced.

After operation 203, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the electronic device maydetermine the attribute of reproduction contents in operation 601.

The electronic device may operate a module (e.g., a circumstanceinformation recognition module) that may recognize, for example,environment information in operation 603.

The electronic device may recognize the environment information (e.g.,circumstance information) via, for example, the operated module inoperation 605. For example, the electronic device may determine whethera user is positioned in an area where limited contents may bereproduced, or whether an environment is a circumstance where limitedcontents may be reproduced.

The electronic device may determine accessibility of contents dependingon the environment information (e.g., a circumstance) using therecognized environment (e.g., circumstance) information in operation 607and then continue to operation 205, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of determiningaccessibility for contents of an electronic device according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 7, an electronic device may determine accessibility ofcontents using information of a user defined in advance, an age group ofa user, or environment information, etc.

After operation 203, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the electronic device mayoperate a recognition module for recognizing user information andenvironment information in operation 701.

The electronic device may determine accessibility of contents usinginformation (e.g., recognition information) recognized via the operatedrecognition module in operation 703.

The electronic device may determine whether recognition information isnewly added or recognition information changes while determiningaccessibility in operation 705.

The electronic device may determine a circumstance of the electronicdevice changes. For example, the electronic device may determine whethera circumstance of the electronic device that moves on foot changes to acircumstance of the electronic device that moves in a vehicle.

The electronic device may determine contents accessibility for added orchanged recognition information in operation 707 and then continue tooperation 205, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

For example, in a case where a plurality of users is detected during auser recognition operation, the electronic device may perform anauthentication operation for all users. In addition, in a case where anew user is detected during an authentication operation, the electronicdevice may perform an authentication operation even on the newlydetected user.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate an operation of registering a user, fordetermining accessibility for contents in an electronic device accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, an electronic device may register a userwhose access to contents is limited or a user who is allowed to accesscontents.

At this point, the electronic device may register a user who may accesscontents or a user whose access to contents is limited using an imageobtained via an image sensor or an image stored in advance.

The electronic device may further add not only a user's image but also aname, a birth date, an age, the type of access limited contents, orfeedback information for access limited contents, etc.

The electronic device may replace access limited contents (scenecorresponding to access limit) by a different image or message, or addfeedback information for a method limiting contents reproduction, etc.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8A, the electronic device mayrecognize a user from a displayed image 801, and then display a menu 803that allows to register feedback information with respect to therecognized user.

At this point, the electronic device may recognize a face included in adisplayed image, and display a recognition result. After that, theelectronic device may allow a user to register to be selected fromdisplayed recognition results.

The electronic device may detect an input (e.g., a drag input) for adisplayed image to determine a facial region, and register thedetermined face. Though a circumstance of recognizing a user's face inorder to register feedback information has been illustrated in theillustrated drawing, the electronic device may recognize a specific bodyportion (e.g., iris recognition, fingerprint recognition, hair stylerecognition, etc.).

When an input for registering feedback information for a recognized faceis detected, the electronic device may display a screen for settingfeedback information 805 for contents as illustrated in FIG. 8B.

The above registered user information or feedback information may bechanged after, for example, a predetermined authentication operation hasbeen performed.

FIGS. 9A to 9D illustrate an operation of reproducing contents in anelectronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The electronic device may be controlled by a plurality of users.

The electronic device may store information regarding a user who mayaccess contents or feedback information regarding contents to preventcontents from being reproduced by an un-allowed user.

The electronic device may process limited contents so that the limitedcontents are not reproduced for an un-allowed user or may limit anoutput of a screen or an audio with respect to content corresponding tothe limited contents.

For example, the electronic device may understand the attribute ofcontents to determine whether limited contents 901 are reproduced asillustrated in FIG. 9A.

When determining whether the limited contents are reproduced, theelectronic device may obtain user information and environmentinformation.

When user information or environment information where limited contentsmay be reproduced is determined, the electronic device may reproduce thelimited contents.

Meanwhile, when user information or environment information wherelimited contents cannot be reproduced is determined, the electronicdevice may determine feedback information which is operation informationof the electronic device for responding to a user who reproduces limitedcontents.

For example, when determining an image replacement mode as feedbackinformation for limited contents, the electronic device may replacelimited contents by a different image 903 (e.g., a replacement image)and output the same as illustrated in FIG. 9B. At this point, theelectronic device may overlay the replacement image onto limitedcontents to allow the limited contents not to be displayed to anun-allowed user. For one embodiment, the electronic device may hide, forexample, a screen of sexuality or violence with a replacement image suchas a mosaic screen.

For another example, when determining a text message output mode asfeedback information for limited contents, the electronic device mayreplace the limited contents by a different message 905 (e.g., areplacement message) and output the same as illustrated in FIG. 9C. Theelectronic device may overlay a replacement message onto the limitedcontents to allow the limited contents not to be displayed to anun-allowed user. For one embodiment, the electronic device may hide ascreen of sexuality or violence with a message informing viewlimitation, or replace a line having abuse by a rarified line, orreplace a line having abuse by a proverb or saying, etc., and displaythe same.

For another embodiment, when determining an output limit mode or a sleepmode as feedback information for limited contents, the electronic devicemay stop a screen output (e.g., screen off) or enter a sleep mode 907 asillustrated in FIG. 9D. For example, in a case where limited contentsare reproduced, the electronic device may prevent the limited contentsfrom being reproduced by stopping the rest of functions except acommunication module. In addition, the electronic device may perform apredetermined authentication operation and then release the sleep mode.

FIGS. 10A to 10D illustrate an operation of reproducing contents in anelectronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 10A to 10D, an electronic device may display a webpage, and the web page may include an object (i.e., an advertisement)including sexuality.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10A, the electronic device maydisplay a web screen where a plurality of pages are linked.

The drawing of FIG. 10A shows a web screen 1001 providing a retrievefunction, and includes an advertisement 1003 of pages purchasable as abook and an advertisement 1005 that links a page including sexuality.

Recently, the electronic device may be controlled by a plurality ofusers, and so an advertisement including sexuality may be exposed tochildren. To prevent this, the electronic device may understand theattribute of a displayed web screen to determine whether the web screencorresponds to limited contents.

When determining a web screen corresponding to limited contents, theelectronic device may determine user information or environmentinformation. For example, the electronic device may determine whether auser is a user who is allowed to access a web screen corresponding tolimited contents or an environment is a circumstance where the user isallowed to access the web screen.

When determining user information or environment information that maydisplay a web screen corresponding to limited contents, the electronicdevice may output a web screen corresponding to the limited contents.

Meanwhile, when determining user information or environment informationthat cannot display a web screen corresponding to limited contents, theelectronic device may determine feedback information which is operationinformation of the electronic device, for responding to a user whoreproduces the limited contents.

The electronic device may prevent an advertisement that links a pageincluding sexuality from being displayed.

The electronic device may receive a document written with a markuplanguage such as HTML to display a web page via a browser, and edit anHTML document to prevent an advertisement of sexuality from beingdisplayed.

For example, the electronic device may process to edit an HTML document1007 so that a link of an advertisement of sexuality may not be outputas illustrated in FIG. 10B.

For another example, the electronic device may process to edit an HTMLdocument so that an image defined in advance 1009 may be overlaid ontoan advertisement that links a page including sexuality and displayed asillustrated in FIG. 10C.

The drawing of FIG. 10C illustrates a circumstance of processing to adda mosaic image to an advertisement including sexuality so that sexualcontent may not be displayed.

For another example, the electronic device may process to edit an HTMLdocument so that a message defined in advance may overlap anadvertisement that links a page including sexuality and may be displayedas illustrated in FIG. 10D.

The drawing of FIG. 10D illustrates a circumstance of processing to adda warning message 1011 instead of an advertisement including sexualityso that sexual content may not be displayed. In addition, the electronicdevice may process to edit an HTML document and move to a main page of arelevant site in a case where a sexual advertisement is clicked.

FIGS. 11A to 11C illustrate an operation of reproducing contents in anelectronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 11A to 11C, an electronic device may reproduce movingpicture contents 1101 as illustrated in FIG. 11A. The contents mayinclude a scene whose reproduction is limited such as sexuality,violence, a religious or cultural taboo, etc.

The electronic device may understand the attribute of contents todetermine whether a scene whose reproduction is limited exists.

In a case of determining contents including a scene whose reproductionis limited, the electronic device may determine user information orenvironment information. Also, the electronic device may determinewhether to reproduce the contents based on at least one of the userinformation and the environment information.

For example, the electronic device may display a message 1103 informingan access limit instead of a scene whose reproduction is limited asillustrated in FIG. 11B.

For another example, in a case where a scene whose reproduction islimited is reproduced, the electronic device may display a message 1105informing other neighbor peripheral devices that contents whose accessis limited is reproduced as illustrated in FIG. 11C.

FIGS. 12A to 12C illustrate an operation of reproducing contents in anelectronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 12A to 12C, an electronic device may reproduce movingpicture contents 1201 as illustrated in FIG. 12A. The contents mayinclude a scene whose reproduction is limited such as sexuality,violence, a religious or cultural taboo, etc.

The electronic device may understand the attribute of contents todetermine whether a scene whose reproduction is limited exists.

In q case of determining contents including a scene whose reproductionis limited, the electronic device may determine user information and/orenvironment information to determine whether to reproduce the contents.

For example, in a case of determining that the contents cannot bereproduced based on environment information, the electronic device maydisplay a message 1203 informing that reproduction of the contents islimited based on the environment information (e.g., current position) asillustrated in FIG. 12B.

For example, in a case of determining that a user is positioned at apublic place such as an office or school, etc., the electronic devicemay output a message of content that reproduction of contents includinga scene whose reproduction is limited is limited.

For another example, in a case of determining that the contents cannotbe reproduced based on environment information, the electronic devicemay adjust an output method of contents 1205 including a scene whosereproduction may be limited as illustrated in FIG. 12C.

For example, in a case of determining a circumstance of a user who movesin a public place, the electronic device may prevent a scene whosereproduction is limited from being displayed, and process to lower anaudio volume or allow the scene to be output only in an earphone mode.

In a case of determining a user positioned in a nation that allows onlya specific religion, the electronic device may prevent contents fordifferent religions from being reproduced at a relevant position.

In a case where contents related to violence, sexuality, a religious orcultural taboo are reproduced inside home, the electronic device maystop reproduction of the contents.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of reproducing contentsin an electronic device according to the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 13, an electronic device may perform an operation ofobtaining at least one of user information and environment informationin operation 1301, and perform an operation of determining an operationmode of the electronic device in response to at least one of the userinformation and the environment information depending on the attributeof the contents in operation 1303.

The operation that determines the operation mode may include anoperation that determines an operation of the electronic devicecorresponding to the user information using at least one of real-timeuser information and user information stored in advance (e.g., advanceuser information).

The operation that determines the operation mode may include anoperation that determines whether the user information is authenticatedin response to the attribute of the contents. The operation thatdetermines whether the user information is authenticated may include anoperation that determines whether the user information is authenticatedusing at least one of user setting information including informationregarding an operation mode of the electronic device, and an image orvoice obtained via a recognition module. The operation that determineswhether the user information is authenticated may further include anoperation that determines an operation mode of the electronic device inresponse to a result of the authentication result.

In a case of obtaining a plurality of user information, the operationthat determines whether the user information is authenticated determinesa plurality of authentication results for the plurality of userinformation. In a case where at least one of the plurality ofauthentication results is not suitable for an output of the contents,the operation that determines whether the user information isauthenticated may include an operation of controlling the electronicdevice to operate in at least one of a turn-off mode for at least oneelectronic device, an image replacement mode, a sleep mode of theelectronic device, a text message output mode, a message transmissionmode to another device, a contents inquiry prohibition mode, a lowspecification mode for at least one unit of the electronic device.

The operation that determines the operation mode may include anoperation that analyzes the attribute of the contents during anoperation of the contents or before the operation of the contents.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method forproviding, at an electronic device, contents may include an operation ofdetermining the attribute of the contents, an operation of obtaining atleast one of user information and environment information in a casewhere reproduction of the contents is limited based on the attribute ofthe contents, and an operation of controlling a reproduction method ofthe contents in response to the user information or the environmentinformation.

According to an embodiment, at least a portion of an apparatus (e.g.,modules or functions) or a method (e.g., operations) according to thepresent disclosure may be implemented as, for example, an instructionstored in a computer-readable storage media in the form of a programmingmodule. The instruction, when executed by one or more processors (e.g.,the processor 122), allows the processor 122 to perform a functioncorresponding to the instruction. The computer-readable storage mediummay be, for example, the memory 110. At least a portion of theprogramming module may be implemented (e.g., executed), for example, bythe processor 122. At least a portion of the programming module mayinclude, for example, a module, a program, a routine, sets ofinstructions, or a process, etc. for performing one or more functions.

The computer-readable recording medium may include a hardware devicespecially configured to store and perform a program instruction (e.g., aprogramming module) such as a hard disk, a floppy disk, a magnetic mediasuch as a magnetic tape, an optical media such as Compact Disc-Read OnlyMemory (CD-ROM) and a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), a magneto-opticalmedia such as a floptical disk, and Read Only Memory (ROM), RandomAccess Memory (RAM), a flash memory, etc. Also, the program instructionmay include not only a machine language code such as things generated bya compiler but also a high level language code that may be executed by acomputer using an interpreter, etc. The above-described hardware devicemay be configured to operate as one or more software modules in order toperform an operation of the present disclosure, and vice versa.

A module or a programming module according to the present disclosure mayinclude at least one of the above-described elements, or some of theelements may be omitted, or may further include additional otherelements. Operations performed by a module, a programming module, orother elements may be executed by a sequential, parallel, repetitive, orheuristic method. Also, some of the operations may be executed in adifferent sequence, or omitted, or another operation may be added.

According to an embodiment, in a storage medium storing instructions,the instructions, when executed by at least one processor, are set toallow the at least one processor to perform at least one operation. Theat least one operation may include an operation of obtaining at leastone of user information and environment information, and an operation ofdetermining an operation mode of the electronic device in response to atleast one of the user information and the environment informationdepending on the attribute of the contents. According to an embodiment,the at least one operation may include an operation of determining theattribute of the contents, an operation of obtaining at least one ofuser information and environment information in a case wherereproduction of the contents is limited based on the attribute of thecontents, and an operation of controlling a reproduction method of thecontents in response to the user information or the environmentinformation.

An embodiment of the present disclosure may prevent limited contentsfrom being reproduced by an un-allowed user by controlling reproductionof the contents based on user information or environment information inan electronic device.

While the present disclosure has been shown and described with referenceto various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that various changes in form and details may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising: a display deviceconfigured to reproduce contents; a sensor configured to obtain at leastone of user information and environment information; and a processorconfigured to: determine whether contents which a user intends toreproduce are limited contents based on an attribute of the contents,and in response to determining that the contents are limited, determineif the user information indicates an allowed user or determine if theenvironment information indicates an allowed environment, and control alimit of the contents reproduced to the user in response to at least oneof the user information and the environment information.
 2. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured todetermine user setting information corresponding to the user informationusing at least one of real-time user information and advance userinformation that is stored in advance, and the user setting informationcomprises information regarding a reproduction mode of the contentscorresponding to the user information.
 3. The electronic device of claim1, wherein the processor is configured to authenticate the userinformation using user setting information comprising reproduction modeinformation of the contents corresponding to the user information. 4.The electronic device of claim 3, wherein, when the user settinginformation corresponding to the user information does not exist, theprocessor is configured to limit an reproduction of the contents and toregister the user setting information corresponding to the userinformation.
 5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the processoris configured to control a reproduction of the contents based on whetherthe user information is authenticated.
 6. The electronic device of claim1, wherein, when the sensor obtains a plurality of user information, theprocessor is configured to determine a plurality of authenticationresults corresponding to the plurality of user information, and, when atleast one of the plurality of authentication results is not suitable forproviding the contents, the processor is configured to limit areproduction of the contents.
 7. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein a reproduction mode of the contents, when a reproduction of thecontents is limited, comprises at least one of a turn-off mode for atleast one unit of the display device, an image replacement mode, a sleepmode of the electronic device, a text message reproduction mode, amessage transmission mode to another device, a contents inquiryprohibition mode, a haptic feedback mode, and a low specification modefor at least one unit of the display device.
 8. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein the processor is configured to analyze the attribute ofthe contents during a reproduction of the contents or before thereproduction of the contents.
 9. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the processor is configured to analyze an attribute of thecontents using at least one of an image analyzing method, a soundanalyzing method, a text analyzing method, a method for analyzing anintro signal of an image, a method for recognizing a specific symbol,and an additional contents analyzing method.
 10. The electronic deviceof claim 1, wherein the environment information comprises at least oneof position information and circumstance information for determining alimit of a reproduction of the contents, and wherein the circumstanceinformation comprises at least one of a time, an ambient noise, ambientbrightness, and a movement of the electronic device.
 11. The electronicdevice of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine theattribute of the contents based on at least one of: a reading grade, areligious taboo expression, a cultural taboo expression, a legal tabooexpression, a violence level, a sexuality level, a specific politicalfaction, a racially discriminative symbol, and a weapon shape.
 12. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured todetermine the attribute of the contents based on at least one of:analysis of an audio track, analysis of a subtitle file, analysis of acaption track included in the contents, analysis of meta information,analysis of a thumbnail, analysis of preview data, and analysis of prelisten data.
 13. A method for providing contents in an electronicdevice, the method comprising: obtaining, by the electronic device, atleast one of user information and environment information; determiningwhether contents which a user intends to reproduce are limited contentsbased on an attribute of contents; and in response to determining thatthe contents are limited, determining if the user information indicatesan allowed user or determining if the environment information indicatesan allowed environment, and determining a limit of the contentsreproduced to the user in response to at least one of the userinformation and the environment information.
 14. The method of claim 13,wherein the determining of the reproduction of the electronic devicecomprises determining a reproduction mode of the electronic devicecorresponding to the user information using at least one of real-timeuser information and advance user information that is stored in advance.15. The method of claim 13, wherein the determining of whether the userinformation is authenticated determines whether the user information isauthenticated using at least one of user setting information comprisinginformation regarding a reproduction mode of the electronic device, animage, and voice obtained via a recognition module.
 16. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the determining of whether the user information isauthenticated comprises determining a reproduction mode of theelectronic device in response to a result of the determination ofwhether the user is authenticated.
 17. The method of claim 13, whereinthe determining of whether the user information is authenticatedcomprises: when a plurality of user information is obtained, determininga plurality of authentication results for the plurality of userinformation; and when at least one of the plurality of authenticationresults is not suitable for reproducing the contents, controlling theelectronic device to operate in at least one of a turn-off mode for atleast one unit of the electronic device, an image replacement mode, asleep mode of the electronic device, a text message reproduction mode, amessage transmission mode to another device, a contents inquiryprohibition mode, and a low specification mode for at least one unit ofthe electronic device.
 18. The method of claim 13, wherein thedetermining of the reproduction of the electronic device comprisesanalyzing the attribute of the contents during a reproduction of thecontents or before the reproduction of the contents.
 19. Anon-transitory computer-readable recording medium having a programrecorded thereon, the program causing a computer to execute a methodcomprising: obtaining at least one of user information and environmentinformation; determining whether contents which a user intends toreproduce are limited contents based on an attribute of the contents;and in response to determining that the contents are limited,determining if the user information indicates an allowed user ordetermining if the environment information indicates an allowedenvironment, and determining a reproduction mode of contents, bylimiting the contents reproduced to the user in response to at least oneof the user information and the environment information.
 20. Thenon-transitory computer-readable recording medium of claim 19, whereinthe environment information includes at least one of a current positionof the electronic device, movement information of the electronic device,brightness information and ambient sound information, and wherein theuser information includes at least one of image information of a user ofthe electronic device and voice information of the user.